Church History - Timeline
Underhill Baptist Church 2024
All Rights Reserved
42 Elton Avenue,
Barnet, Herts,
EN5 2EA
The complete Photographic Archives and Ministry Photo Galleries for
Underhill Baptist Church are available on request.
1936
1945
Rev F.J.Mason
Sep1945-Mar1951
1930
Site acquired by Mr C.W.B.Simmonds who presented it to Rev
Noble & the Deacons of High Barnet Baptist Church for the
building of a Church Hall for the people and particularly
children in the Underhill Area.
1935
Site Dedication Sunday
afternoon 15th September
1935
Sunday School 1937
The Church Hall was opened by
Mrs Simmonds 19th September
1936.
The Church’s first Full-Time Minister is appointed with Services at 11.00am & 6.30pm.
In those days, Church was very much a family occasion, families were larger and certainly the
Sunday School was.
T.E.Pickering
(Lay Pastor)
Jul1951-Dec1952
There were no computers or mobile phones in those days but somehow the children survived!
At the Church, there was Boys Brigade, Girls Brigade and a Youth Club.
Choruses would be sung from Cards held up at the front and
Hymns sung from the “Golden bells” Hymn Book.
Over the years, we have moved on through the CSM Chorus
book, The Baptist Hymn Book, Youth Praise, Mission Praise,
Junior Praise, our own Underhill Chorus Book and onto our
latest Songs Of Fellowship.
S.F.Feltham
(Student Pastor)
Jan1953-Apr1954
R.H.Meyer
Feb1956-Feb1959
J.A.Pollard
(Moderator)
Oct1959-Oct1961
R.M.Hale, B.D.
Oct1961-Feb1971
D.B.Morris, B.A.
(Student Pastor)
Oct1971-Oct1972
D.Hewitt
(Student Pastor)
Oct1972-Oct1973
G.Marlam
(Student Pastor)
Oct1973-Sept1974
Rev D.B.Morris,
B.A./B.D.
Sept1974-Oct1984
In the 60’s the Chorus Cards and Hymns were
transferred onto Celluloid Sheets and Projected onto a
Screen using an Overhead Projector.
Newsletters and circulars were produced using
a Gestetner Copying Machine with a hand crank
to move sheets through.
OASIS Team1 Jo Titterton (18), Dave Garlick (25), Nigel Martin (23)
OASIS Team2 Fiona Walker, Kate Schofield, Pete Thomas, Andy Taylor
OASIS Support Worker “Fiona McGheacin”
1986
1987
1988
New Baptistry
E.Baldwin, B.A.
Aug1985-Jul1998
After a succession of Student Pastors from Spurgeons College between 1971-1974,
David Morris returned to join us, fully trained, as our Full-Time Pastor with Judy his wife.
The Small Hall with Kitchen was added in 1977 and, towards
the end of Rev David’s ministry, was used for worship (The
large hall being used for activities and barn dances). The flat
roof structure was supposed to last 20-25years but is still
serving us well in 2023!
1998
Rev David Morris was a young minister at his first church, an avid cricket
enthusiast and always included a childrens talk in the first part of his
service. He was always supported by his wife Judy who played an active
part in our church life - as did their 3 children (Helen, Nicola & Tina) who
came along in due course.
1974
1977
Thursday March 20th 1975 marked the start of a
Healing Ministry when the Deacons prayed over
Mrs June Merchant (a Deacon at the time) and
were rewarded for their faith with healing
for June.
1975
After 10 years at Underhill Baptist Church, Rev David Morris left us to take up a post at his
second church in Leeds and after a period of intereggnum, Rev Eric Baldwin joined us with his
wife Jenny and two girls in August 1985
1984
Rev Eric Baldwin came to us a mature student from Spurgeons
College, having previously had a job in Computing which would
be useful to him. His wife, Jenny was to play an active part in the
church, especially with the childrens groups. Their 2 girls (Rachel
& Julia) were a welcome addition to our youth group.
2000
1st use of our New Baptistry
20th June 2000
Rev Dick Prior
2000-2007
After 13 years at Underhill Baptist Church, including 5 as a Regional Minister, Rev Eric Baldwin
left us to take up a post at Rushmere Baptist Church in Ipswich and and after a period of
interregnum, Rev Dick Prior joined us with his wife Sue and two girls in January 2000
1998
2004
Many hours of work in hot weather went into
preparing the ground for a new Universal Access
Slope, then creating the garden.
2006
70th Anniversary Flower Festival
2003
2007
With the advent of new technology, access
to a church laptop and in-house expertise,
we were able to publish our own Web Site
for the first time
After 7 years at Underhill Baptist Church, we said goodbye to Rev Dick Prior and his family,
as he took up a new Pastorate in Chatteris and, after a two year period of interregnum,
Rev Emmanuel Ntusi joined us with his wife Zama in November 2009
2007
Rev Emmanuel
Ntusi 2009-2020
2013
Cracks in the rear walls became too bad to pass an
inspection and MAJOR works had to be done
incurring major building costs!
With much praying, fund-
raising, gift(s) from other
local churches and interest
free loans from the LBA,
the works were completed!
2014
Unfortunately, the following year, the Contractors and Insurance had to be called back as a
change in water levels at the rear of the church had caused an unstoppable water leak to
seap up from the floor in the toilets and corridor. The final solution was to lay a perforated
drainage pipe from back to front which was only completed at Easter 2015.
Rev Emmanuel Ntusi and his wife Zama came to us
in 2009 (Their two girls, Ethenisi & Sinesipo, came
along later!)
2012
Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Lunch 3rd June 2012
Our Queen marked her Diamond Jubilee with a 4-day
weekend of events, between Saturday 2 and Tuesday 5
June. We celebrated in the Church and joined in with the
local street party in Elton Avenue (Shame about the rain).
It was good fun closing off the road!
2016
80th Anniversary 25th September 2016
2020
After 11 years at Underhill Baptist Church, we said goodbye to Rev Emmanuel Ntusi and his
family, as he took up a new Pastorate at Coldharbour Lane and, after a year without a Minister
Rev Vania John-Baptiste joined us in July 2020
2020
Corona Virus Lockdown
23 March 2020: Boris Johnson announces the UK’s
first national lockdown. People may only leave their
homes for strictly limited reasons and the police are
given powers to enforce the rules. The furlough
scheme was introduced by Rishi Sunak and was
broadly welcomed as an important intervention to
protect jobs during lockdown.
At first, we could continue to worship sitting 1metre
apart but then, when masks were advised, we were
instructed not to sing or even handle Hymn
Books/Bibles!
Four previous Ministers celebrate 80yrs (Not THEM the Church!)
Rev David Morris; Rev Emmanuel Ntusi; Rev Eric Baldwin; Rev Dick Prior
Unfortunately, due to the Corona Virus Lockdown
in the UK, Rev Vania had to try to get to know us
and work around the Government Guidance at
that time.
With the technology we had, we were able to project Worship Videos onto the large TV
Screen at the front featuring a variety of Christian Artists singing the Hymns & Choruses
that we were familiar with. As the Virus reached its peak and people were dying in
hospital, we were then not allowed to worship in public gatherings. But, even older
members of our congregation, adapted well to using the latest “Zoom” Video
Conferencing on their computers.
2023
On 23 January 2023 , after a period of illness, Rev
Vania John-Baptiste left us and after a short time the
retired Minister Rev Ray Thomas who had been
worshipping with us for some time agreed to lead us
for the rest of the year as Interim Moderator.
Rev Vania
John-Baptiste
2020-Jan 2023
King Charles III
Coronation Lunch
2023
07/05/23
Church, Friends and Community were invited to join in with the weekend of celebration
to commemorate the Coronation of King Charles III on Saturday 6th May 2023
…. to be continued
UBC Text For The Year
LOOK to the Lord and His strength
SEEK His face always
REMEMBER the wonders He has done
1 Chronicles 16 11:12a
“Look Backwards for encouragement and move Forwards in Faith”
The New Baptistry was installed into the new
staging underneath the side windows and the
old one decommissioned .... many hands made
light work on the day!
Rev Vania
John-Baptiste
2020-Jan 2023
Rev Ray Thomas
March 2023-
Present
Go to End
2024
March 2024 Rev Ray Thomas (our Interim Minister) was invited to continue in his
role for a further year as our Church Profile was prepared for circulation on the
Baptist Union Web Site.
Church History - Timeline
1930
Site acquired by Mr C.W.B.Simmonds who
presented it to Rev Noble & the Deacons of
High Barnet Baptist Church for the building
of a Church Hall
1935
Site Dedication Sunday afternoon
15th September 1935
1936
The Church Hall was opened by
Mrs Simmonds 19th September 1936.
The Church’s first Full-Time Minister is
appointed with Services at 11.00am & 6.30pm.
In those days, Church was very much a family
occasion, families were larger and certainly the
Sunday School was.
1945
Sunday School 1937
Rev F.J.Mason
Sep1945-Mar1951
There were no computers or mobile phones in
those days but somehow the children survived!
At the Church, there was Boys Brigade, Girls
Brigade and a Youth Club.
Choruses would be sung from Cards held up at
the front and Hymns sung from the “Golden
bells” Hymn Book. Over the years, we have
moved on through the CSM Chorus book,
The Baptist Hymn Book, Youth Praise, Mission
Praise, Junior Praise, our own Underhill Chorus
Book and onto our latest Songs Of Fellowship.
In the 60’s the Chorus Cards and Hymns were
transferred onto Celluloid Sheets and Projected
onto a Screen using an Overhead Projector.
Newsletters and circulars were produced using
a Gestetner Copying Machine with a hand crank
to move the sheets through.
T.E.Pickering
(Lay Pastor)
Jul1951-Dec1952
S.F.Feltham
(Student Pastor)
Jan1953-Apr1954
R.H.Meyer
Feb1956-Feb1959
J.A.Pollard
(Moderator)
Oct1959-Oct1961
R.M.Hale, B.D.
Oct1961-Feb1971
D.B.Morris, B.A.
(Student Pastor)
Oct1971-Oct1972
D.Hewitt
(Student Pastor)
Oct1972-Oct1973
G.Marlam
(Student Pastor)
Oct1973-Sept1974
1974
After a succession of Student Pastors from
Spurgeons College between 1971-1974, David
Morris returned to join us, fully trained, as our
Full-Time Pastor with Judy his wife.
Rev D.B.Morris,
B.A./B.D.
Sept1974-Oct1984
Rev David Morris was a young minister at his
first church, an avid cricket enthusiast and
always included a childrens talk in the first part
of his service. He was always supported by his
wife Judy who played an active part in our
church life - as did their 3 children (Helen,
Nicola & Tina) who came along in due course.
Thursday March 20th 1975 marked the start of
a Healing Ministry when the Deacons prayed
over Mrs June Merchant (a Deacon at the time)
and were rewarded for their faith with healing
for June.
1975
1977
The Small Hall with Kitchen was added in 1977
and, towards the end of Rev David’s ministry,
was used for worship (The large hall being
used for activities and barn dances). The flat
roof structure was supposed to last 20-25years
but is still serving us well in 2023!
After 10 years at Underhill Baptist Church, Rev
David Morris left us to take up a post at his
second church in Leeds and after a period of
intereggnum, Rev Eric Baldwin joined us with
his wife Jenny and two girls in August 1985
1985
E.Baldwin, B.A.
Aug1985-Jul1998
Rev Eric Baldwin came to us a mature student
from Spurgeons College, having previously had
a job in Computing which would be useful to
him. His wife, Jenny was to play an active part
in the church, especially with the childrens
groups. Their 2 girls (Rachel & Julia) were a
welcome addition to our youth group.
1986
1987
1988
OASIS Team1 Jo Titterton (18),
Dave Garlick (25), Nigel Martin (23)
OASIS Team2 Fiona Walker, Kate Schofield,
Pete Thomas, Andy Taylor
OASIS Support Worker “Fiona McGheacin”
1988
New Baptistry
After 13 years at Underhill Baptist Church,
including 5 as a Regional Minister, Rev Eric
Baldwin left us to take up a post at Rushmere
Baptist Church in Ipswich and and after a
period of interregnum, Rev Dick Prior joined us
with his wife Sue and their two girls in
January 2000.
1988
Rev Dick Prior
2000-2007
1st use of our New Baptistry
20th June 2000
2000
2003
“The Gift” a musical by Graham Kendrick
2004
Many hours of work in hot weather went
into preparing the ground for a new
Universal Access Slope
2006
70th Anniversary Flower Festival
Rev Emmanuel
Ntusi 2009-2020
Rev Emmanuel Ntusi and his wife Zama came
to us in 2009 (Their two girls, Ethenisi and
Sinesipo, came along later!)
Our Queen marked her Diamond Jubilee
with a 4-day weekend of events. We
celebrated in the Church on Sunday 3rd
June and joined in with the local street
party in Elton Avenue. It was good fun
closing off the road!
2012
2013
Cracks in the rear walls became too bad
to pass an inspection and MAJOR works
had to be done incurring major costs!
With much praying, fund-raising, gift(s) from
other local churches and interest free loans
from the LBA, the works were completed!
2014
The Contractors/Insurance had to be called
back as a change in water levels at the rear of
the church had caused an unstoppable water
leak to seap up from the floor in the toilets
and corridor. The final solution was to lay a
perforated drainage pipe from back to front
which was only completed at Easter 2015.
Unfortunately, the following year ....
80th Anniversary 25th September 2016
2016
Four previous Ministers celebrate 80yrs
(Rev David Morris, Rev Emmanuel Ntusi;
Rev Eric Baldwin; Rev Dick Prior)
2020
After 11 years at Underhill Baptist Church,
we said goodbye to Rev Emmanuel Ntusi
and his family, as he moved on to
Coldharbour Lane and, after a year with
no Minister, Rev Vania John-Baptiste
came to us in July 2020
Rev Vania
John-Baptiste
2020-Jan 2023
Unfortunately, due to the Corona Virus
Lockdown in the UK, Rev Vania had to try to
get to know us and work around the
Government Guidance at that time.
2020
Corona Virus Lockdown
23 March 2020: Boris Johnson announces the
UK’s first national lockdown. People may only
leave their homes for strictly limited reasons
and the police are given powers to enforce
the rules. The furlough scheme was
introduced by Rishi Sunak and was broadly
welcomed as an important intervention to
protect jobs during lockdown.
At first, we could continue to worship sitting
1metre apart but then, when masks were
advised, we were instructed not to sing or
even handle Hymn Books/Bibles! With the
technology we had, we were able to project
Worship Videos onto the large TV Screen at
the front featuring a variety of Christian
Artists singing the Hymns & Choruses that
we were familiar with. As the Virus reached
its peak and people were dying in hospital,
we were then not allowed to worship in
public gatherings. But, even older members
of our congregation, adapted well to using
the latest “Zoom” Video Conferencing on
their computers.
2023
On 23 January 2023 , after a period of
illness, Rev Vania John-Baptiste left us
and after a short time the retired
Minister Rev Ray Thomas who had been
worshipping with us for some time
agreed to lead us for the rest of the year
as Interim Moderator.
07/05/23
King Charles III
Coronation Lunch
Church, Friends and Community were
invited to join our celebrations to
commemorate the Coronation of King
Charles III on Saturday 6th May 2023
UBC Text For The Year
…. to be continued
“Look Backwards for encouragement and
move Forwards in Faith”
Rev Ray Thomas
March 2023-
Present
Go to End
2024
March 2024 Rev Ray Thomas (our
Interim Minister) was invited to continue
in his role for a further year as our
Church Profile was prepared for
circulation on the Baptist Union Web
Site.
Underhill Baptist Church 2024
All Rights Reserved
Underhill Baptist Church 2024
All Rights Reserved
Church History - Timeline
42 Elton Avenue,
Barnet, Herts,
EN5 2EA
The complete Photographic Archives and Ministry Photo Galleries for
Underhill Baptist Church are available on request
1930
Site acquired by Mr C.W.B.Simmonds who presented it to Rev Noble
& the Deacons of High Barnet Baptist Church for the building of a
Church Hall for the people and particularly children in the Underhill
Area.
Site Dedication Sunday afternoon
15th September 1935
1935
1936
The Church Hall was opened by
Mrs Simmonds 19th September
1936.
Sunday School 1937
The Church’s first Full-Time Minister is appointed with Services at
11.00am & 6.30pm. In those days, Church was very much a family
occasion, families were larger and certainly the Sunday School was.
1945
Rev F.J.Mason
Sep1945-Mar1951
There were no computers or mobile phones in those days but
somehow the children survived! At the Church, there was Boys
Brigade, Girls Brigade and a Youth Club.
Choruses would be sung from Cards held up at the front and Hymns
sung from the “Golden bells” Hymn Book. Over the years, we have
moved on through the CSM Chorus book, The Baptist Hymn Book,
Youth Praise, Mission Praise, Junior Praise, our own Underhill Chorus
Book and onto our latest Songs Of Fellowship.
In the 60’s the Chorus Cards and Hymns
were transferred onto Celluloid Sheets
and Projected onto a Screen using an
Overhead Projector.
Newsletters and circulars were
produced using a Gestetner Copying
Machine with a hand crank to move the
sheets through.
T.E.Pickering
(Lay Pastor)
Jul1951-Dec1952
S.F.Feltham
(Student Pastor)
Jan1953-Apr1954
R.H.Meyer
Feb1956-Feb1959
J.A.Pollard
(Moderator)
Oct1959-Oct1961
R.M.Hale, B.D.
Oct1961-Feb1971
D.B.Morris, B.A.
(Student Pastor)
Oct1971-Oct1972
D.Hewitt
(Student Pastor)
Oct1972-Oct1973
G.Marlam
(Student Pastor)
Oct1973-Sept1974
1974
After a succession of Student Pastors from Spurgeons College
between 1971-1974, David Morris returned to join us, fully trained,
as our Full-Time Pastor with Judy his wife.
Rev D.B.Morris,
B.A./B.D.
Sept1974-Oct1984
Rev David Morris was a young minister at his first church, an avid
cricket enthusiast and always included a childrens talk in the first
part of his service. He was always supported by his wife Judy who
played an active part in our church life - as did their 3 children
(Helen, Nicola & Tina) who came along in due course.
Thursday March 20th 1975 marked the start of a Healing Ministry
when the Deacons prayed over Mrs June Merchant (a Deacon at the
time) and were rewarded for their faith with healing for June.
1975
1977
The Small Hall with Kitchen was added
in 1977 and, towards the end of Rev
David’s ministry, was used for worship
(The large hall being used for activities
and barn dances). The flat roof was
supposed to last 20-25years but is still
serving us well in 2023!
After 10 years at Underhill Baptist Church, Rev David Morris left us
to take up a post at his second church in Leeds and after a period of
intereggnum, Rev Eric Baldwin joined us with his wife Jenny and two
girls in August 1985
1984
E.Baldwin, B.A.
Aug1985-Jul1998
Rev Eric Baldwin came to us a mature student
from Spurgeons College, having previously had a
job in Computing which would be useful to him.
His wife, Jenny was to play an active part in the
church, especially with the childrens groups.
Their two girls (Rachel & Julia) were a welcome
addition to our youth group.
1986
1987
1988
OASIS Team1 Jo Titterton (18), Dave Garlick (25), Nigel Martin (23)
OASIS Team2 Fiona Walker, Kate Schofield, Pete Thomas,
Andy Taylor
OASIS Support Worker “Fiona McGheacin”
New Baptistry
1998
After 13 years at Underhill Baptist Church, including 5 as a Regional
Minister, Rev Eric Baldwin left us to take up a post at Rushmere
Baptist Church in Ipswich and and after a period of interregnum,
Rev Dick Prior joined us with his wife Sue and their two girls in
January 2000.
1998
Rev Dick Prior
2000-2007
1st use of our New Baptistry
20th June 2000
2000
2003
Many hours of work in hot weather went into preparing the ground
for a new Universal Access Slope, then creating the garden.
2004
70th Anniversary Flower Festival
2006
2007
After 7 years at Underhill Baptist Church, we said goodbye to Rev
Dick Prior and his family, as he took up a new Pastorate in Chatteris
and, after a two year period of interregnum, Rev Emmanuel Ntusi
joined us with his wife Zama in November 2009
2007
Rev Emmanuel
Ntusi 2009-2020
Rev Emmanuel Ntusi and his wife
Zama came to us in 2009 (Their
two girls, Ethenisi & Sinesipo,
came along later!)
2012
Our Queen marked her Diamond Jubilee with a 4-day weekend of
events, between Saturday 2 and Tuesday 5 June. We celebrated in
the Church and joined in with the local street party in Elton Avenue
(Shame about the rain). It was good fun closing off the road!
Cracks in the rear walls became too bad to pass an inspection and
MAJOR works had to be done incurring major building costs!
2013
With much praying, fund-raising, gift(s) from other local churches
and interest free loans from the LBA, the works were completed!
2014
Unfortunately, the following year, the Contractors and Insurance
had to be called back as a change in water levels at the rear of the
church had caused an unstoppable water leak to seap up from the
floor in the toilets and corridor. The final solution was to lay a
perforated drainage pipe from back to front which was only
completed at Easter 2015.
2016
80th Anniversary 25th September 2016
Four previous Ministers celebrate 80yrs (Rev David Morris,
Rev Emmanuel Ntusi; Rev Eric Baldwin; Rev Dick Prior)
2020
After 11 years at Underhill Baptist Church, we said goodbye to Rev
Emmanuel Ntusi and his family, as he took up a new Pastorate at
Coldharbour Lane and, after a year without a Minister Rev Vania
John-Baptiste joined us in July 2020
Rev Vania
John-Baptiste
2020-Jan 2023
Unfortunately, due to the
Corona Virus Lockdown in
the UK, Rev Vania had to try
to get to know us and work
around the Government
Guidance at that time.
2020
Corona Virus Lockdown
23 March 2020: Boris Johnson announces the UK’s first national
lockdown. People may only leave their homes for strictly limited
reasons and the police are given powers to enforce the rules. The
furlough scheme was introduced by Rishi Sunak and was broadly
welcomed as an important intervention to protect jobs during
lockdown.
At first, we could continue to worship sitting 1m apart but then, when
masks were advised, we were instructed not to sing or even handle
Hymn Books/Bibles! With the technology we had, we were able to
project Worship Videos onto the large TV Screen at the front featuring
a variety of Christian Artists singing the Hymns & Choruses that we
were familiar with. As the Virus reached its peak and people were
dying in hospital, we were then not allowed to worship in public
gatherings. But, even older members of our congregation, adapted
well to using the latest “Zoom” Video Conferencing on their
computers.
2023
On 23 January 2023 , after a period of
illness, Rev Vania John-Baptiste left us
and after a short time the retired
Minister Rev Ray Thomas who had been
worshipping with us for some time
agreed to lead us for the rest of the
year as Interim Moderator.
07/05/23
King Charles III
Coronation Lunch
Church, Friends and Community were invited to join our
celebrations to commemorate the Coronation of King Charles III
on Saturday 6th May 2023
UBC Text For The Year
…. to be continued
“Look Backwards for encouragement and move Forwards in Faith”
The New Baptistry was installed into the new staging underneath
the side windows and the old one decommissioned .... many hands
made light work on the day!
Rev Ray Thomas
March 2023-
Present
Go to End
2024
March 2024 Rev Ray Thomas (our Interim Minister) was invited
to continue in his role for a further year as our Church Profile was
prepared for circulation on the Baptist Union Web Site.
Church History Timeline
42 Elton Avenue,
Barnet, Herts,
EN5 2EA
The complete Photographic Archives and Ministry Photo Galleries for Underhill Baptist Church are available on request
1936
1945
Rev F.J.Mason
Sep1945-Mar1951
1930
1935
T.E.Pickering
(Lay Pastor)
Jul1951-Dec1952
S.F.Feltham
(Student Pastor)
Jan1953-Apr1954
R.H.Meyer
Feb1956-Feb1959
J.A.Pollard
(Moderator)
Oct1959-Oct1961
R.M.Hale, B.D.
Oct1961-Feb1971
D.B.Morris, B.A.
(Student Pastor)
Oct1971-Oct1972
D.Hewitt
(Student Pastor)
Oct1972-Oct1973
G.Marlam
(Student Pastor)
Oct1973-Sept1974
Rev D.B.Morris,
B.A./B.D.
Sept1974-Oct1984
1986
1987
1988
E.Baldwin, B.A.
Aug1985-Jul1998
1998
1974
1977
1975
1984
2000
Rev Dick Prior
2000-2007
1998
2004
2006
2003
2007
2007
Rev Emmanuel
Ntusi 2009-2020
2013
2014
2012
2016
2020
2020
Rev Vania
John-Baptiste
2020-Jan 2023
King Charles III
Coronation Lunch
Underhill Baptist Church 2024
All Rights Reserved
2023
07/05/23
Site acquired by Mr C.W.B.Simmonds who presented it to Rev Noble
& the Deacons of High Barnet Baptist Church for the building of a
Church Hall for the people and particularly children in the Underhill Area.
Site Dedication Sunday afternoon
15th September 1935
The Church Hall was opened by
Mrs Simmonds 19th September
1936.
Sunday School 1937
The Church’s first Full-Time Minister is appointed with Services at 11.00am & 6.30pm.
In those days, Church was very much a family occasion, families were larger and certainly the Sunday School was.
There were no computers or mobile phones in those days but somehow the children survived! At the Church, there was
Boys Brigade, Girls Brigade and a Youth Club.
Choruses would be sung from Cards held up at the front and Hymns sung from
the “Golden bells” Hymn Book.
Over the years, we have moved on through the CSM Chorus book, The Baptist
Hymn Book, Youth Praise, Mission Praise, Junior Praise, our own Underhill
Chorus Book and onto our latest Songs Of Fellowship.
In the 60’s the Chorus Cards and Hymns were transferred onto Celluloid Sheets
and Projected onto a Screen using an Overhead Projector.
Newsletters and circulars were produced using a Gestetner Copying Machine
with a hand crank to move sheets through.
After a succession of Student Pastors from Spurgeons College between 1971-1974, David Morris returned to join us, fully trained, as our
Full-Time Pastor with Judy his wife.
“Look Backwards for encouragement and move Forwards in Faith”
…. to be continued
Rev David Morris was a young minister at his first church, an avid cricket enthusiast and always included
a childrens talk in the first part of his service. He was always supported by his wife Judy who played an active
part in our church life - as did their 3 children (Helen, Nicola & Tina) who came along in due course.
Thursday March 20th 1975 marked the start of a Healing Ministry when the
Deacons prayed over Mrs June Merchant (a Deacon at the time) and were
rewarded for their faith with healing for June.
The Small Hall with Kitchen was added in 1977 and, towards the end of Rev David’s ministry, was used
for worship (The large hall being used for activities and barn dances). The flat roof structure was
supposed to last 20-25years but is still serving us well in 2023!
After 10 years at Underhill Baptist Church, Rev David Morris left us to take up a post at his second church in Leeds and after a period of
intereggnum, Rev Eric Baldwin joined us with his wife Jenny and two girls in August 1985
Rev Eric Baldwin came to us a mature student from Spurgeons College, having previously had a job in
Computing which would be useful to him. His wife, Jenny was to play an active part in the church,
especially with the childrens groups. Their 2 girls (Rachel & Julia) were a welcome addition to our youth
group.
OASIS Team1 Jo Titterton (18), Dave Garlick (25), Nigel Martin (23)
OASIS Team2 Fiona Walker, Kate Schofield, Pete Thomas, Andy Taylor
OASIS Support Worker “Fiona McGheacin”
New Baptistry
After 13 years at Underhill Baptist Church, including 5 as a Regional Minister, Rev Eric Baldwin left us to take up a post at Rushmere
Baptist Church in Ipswich and and after a period of interregnum, Rev Dick Prior joined us with his wife Sue and two girls in January 2000
1st use of our New Baptistry
20th June 2000
Many hours of work in hot weather went into preparing the ground for a new Universal
Access Slope, then creating the garden.
70th Anniversary Flower Festival
With the advent of new technology, access to a church laptop and in-house
expertise, we were able to publish our own Web Site for the first time
After 7 years at Underhill Baptist Church, we said goodbye to Rev Dick Prior and his family,
as he took up a new Pastorate in Chatteris and, after a two year period of interregnum,
Rev Emmanuel Ntusi joined us with his wife Zama in November 2009
Rev Emmanuel Ntusi and his wife Zama came to us in 2009 (Their two girls, Ethenisi
& Sinesipo, came along later!)
Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Lunch 3rd June 2012
Our Queen marked her Diamond Jubilee with a 4-day weekend of events, between Saturday 2nd
and Tuesday 5th June. We celebrated in the Church and joined in with the local street party in
Elton Avenue (Shame about the rain). It was good fun closing off the road!
Cracks in the rear walls became too bad to pass an inspection and MAJOR works
had to be done incurring major building costs!
With much praying, fund-raising, gift(s) from
other local churches and interest free loans from
the LBA, the works were completed!
Unfortunately, the following year, the Contractors and Insurance had to be called back as a change in water levels at the rear of the church
had caused an unstoppable water leak to seap up from the floor in the toilets and corridor. The final solution was to lay a perforated
drainage pipe from back to front which was only completed at Easter 2015.
80th Anniversary 25th September 2016
Four previous Ministers celebrate 80yrs (Not THEM the Church!)
Rev David Morris; Rev Emmanuel Ntusi; Rev Eric Baldwin; Rev Dick Prior
After 11 years at Underhill Baptist Church, we said goodbye to Rev Emmanuel Ntusi and his
family, as he took up a new Pastorate at Coldharbour Lane and, after a year without a Minister
Rev Vania John-Baptiste joined us in July 2020
Unfortunately, due to the Corona Virus Lockdown in the UK, Rev Vania had to try to get to know
us and work around the Government Guidance at that time.
Corona Virus Lockdown
23 March 2020: Boris Johnson announces the UK’s first national lockdown. People may only leave
their homes for strictly limited reasons and the police are given powers to enforce the rules. The
furlough scheme was introduced by our Prime Minister (Rishi Sunak) and was broadly welcomed
as an important intervention to protect jobs during lockdown.
At first, we could continue to worship sitting 1m apart but then, when masks were advised, we
were instructed not to sing or even handle Hymn Books/Bibles! With the technology we had, we
were able to project Worship Videos onto the large TV Screen at the front featuring a variety of
Christian Artists singing the Hymns & Choruses that we were familiar with. As the Virus reached
its peak and people were dying in hospital, we were then not allowed to worship in public
gatherings. But, even older members of our congregation, adapted well to using the latest
“Zoom” Video Conferencing on their computers.
On 23 January 2023 , after a period of illness, Rev Vania John-Baptiste left us and after a short
time the retired Minister Rev Ray Thomas who had been worshipping with us for some time
agreed to lead us for the rest of the year as Interim Moderator.
Church, Friends and Community were invited to join in with the weekend of celebration
to commemorate the Coronation of King Charles III on Saturday 6th May 2023
UBC Text For The Year
The New Baptistry was installed into the new
staging underneath the side windows and the old
one decommissioned .... many hands made light
work on the day!
Rev Ray Thomas
March 2023-
Present
Go to End
2024
March 2024 Rev Ray Thomas (our Interim Minister) was invited to continue in his role for a further year as our Church Profile was
prepared for circulation on the Baptist Union Web Site.
